A Step from Heaven — Vocabulary
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
4 top 1000
principalmost important
The principal idea is that decisions should be made by the people who are most knowledgeable about specific circumstances that impact the decision.more
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By the time the principal steps up to the podium to begin the awards ceremony, my entire face has flamed red from my lies.†p.117.93 more
most important; or person that is most important
Show general definition most important; or person who is most important
The exact meaning of principal can depend upon its context. For example:
  • "the principal idea" or "the principal performer" -- the most important
  • "the principal of the school" -- the person in charge
  • "a principal of a company" -- an owner or person with controlling authority
  • "the principal in a transaction" (as contrasted to the agent) -- the person on whose behalf an agent acts
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immigrateimmigrate → immigrated:came to live (from another country)
About 1 of each 8 people in the United States immigrated from somewhere else.more
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I silently read the words on the plaque, Department of Immigration and Naturalization Services.†p.82.22 more
immigrate → immigration:the act of coming to live in a new country; or indication that something is related to that act
Show general definition come to live in a new country
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lamentlament → lamented:expressed grief about
She lamented the loss.more
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She shakes her head and laments, To think of all those people there to honor you, and your own parents could not take a night off from their jobs.†p.121.9
lament → laments:expresses grief or regret
Show general definition to express grief or regret
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congregationpeople who worship together in the same building
It's a casual congregation where many people wander into services late.more
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Your wife has become a most valued member of our congregation.p.113.8
Show general definition for congregation (as in: the congregation voted) people who worship together in the same building
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intricatecomplicated -- having many complexly arranged elements
She came up with an intricate plan.more
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Only hard wooden floors and an intricate, diamond-shaped design in the middle of the ceiling.†p.145.5
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incredulousdifficult to believe
I find it incredulous that you believe she is sincere.more
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Joon faces me fully, giving me an incredulous look.†p.131.6
unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
Show general definition unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
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techniqueway of doing something
She developed a new surgical technique that shortens recovery time.more
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I know the technique, how to look blank and as if you are listening when really you are trying to fly away from your body.†p.67.1
Show general definition a way of doing something; or the methods used to do it well
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ebbebb → ebbed:gradually declined
The patient's strength ebbed away.more
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As I walk with Uhmma now, her hand grasped firmly in mine, I can feel the strength that was there in our childhood ebbing away.†p.152.9
ebb → ebbing:declining -- typically gradually as with the height of the tide
Show general definition decline -- typically gradually as with the height of the tide
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luminousshining
The sky was luminous with stars.more
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I notice the moonlight on the chain-link fence, the way it turns even the ugliest pattern into a delicate, luminous web.†p.93.1
glowing or shining…
Show general definition glowing or shining

(also used metaphorically to describe beauty or intelligence)
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compassionsympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help
If I see one hungry child, I feel compassion, but when I hear of a million hungry children, I'm overwhelmed and turn my mind to other things.more
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For an hour Mr. Shin uses Korean and English examples to talk about the compassion of God.†p.101.1
Show general definition sympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help
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glowerglower → glowering:staring angrily
Shake hands and stop glowering at each other.more
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His eyes glower.†p.66.9
stare angrily
Show general definition to stare angrily
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sparsenot dense
The grass was sparse in the dry field, with patches of dirt showing everywhere.more
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The light from his desk lamp makes the black bristles of his hair look even more sparse, like a landscape of trees in winter.†p.132.1
not dense; OR  few in number and spread out
Show general definition not dense; or few in number and spread out
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humiliatehumiliate → humiliated:extremely embarrassed (feeling decreased dignity)
She felt humiliated by his public insults.more
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Joon's eyes squint against the pain, but more than that, the humiliation of being punished in public, in front of his friend.†p.66.2
humiliate → humiliation:extremely embarrass (decrease dignity, self-respect, or pride
Show general definition extremely embarrass (decrease dignity, self-respect, or pride -- especially in front of others)
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beckonbeckon → beckoned:called
With a nod of her head, she beckoned me to join them.more
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I take a step back, my warm bed beckoning, when I think of something to say.p.93.4
beckon → beckoning:calling (figuratively, by being desirable)
Show general definition to call -- typically to ask or tell someone to come nearer by using a hand gesture or a nod of the head
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parcheddried out
Nothing will grow in this parched soil.more
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Tiny flecks of skin, parched from dry-cleaning clothes, ironing shirts, "heavy on the starch," stand up searching for the moisture that was robbed day after day for eleven years.†p.153.4
dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight; or very thirsty
Show general definition dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight; or very thirsty
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demuremodest and quiet
She gave a demure smile and lowered her eyes when the teacher praised her.more
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More and more like a demure young lady.†p.114.3
modest, quiet, and shy; OR  pretending such in a playful way
Show general definition modest, quiet, and shy; or pretending such in a playful way
1
opaqueunable to be seen through
They are engineering a window that can convert from transparent to opaque with the push of a button.more
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Almost instantly a white cloud of starch rises up and turns the water opaque.p.141.7
cloudy so it is no longer clear
Show general definition for opaque (as in: opaque shower door) not able to see through
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down paymenta partial payment made at the time of purchase
We're saving money for a down payment on a home.more
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If I worked two jobs and we did not have to pay rent, we could save enough money for a down payment in no time.†p.35.2
Show general definition a partial payment made at the time of purchase (the rest to be paid later)
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grovelshow complete submission
She wasn't content just to win. She wanted to see me grovel.more
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I do not want to grovel anymore like some bitch.†p.33.9
show submission or fear
Show general definition to show submission or fear -- sometimes by crawling or lying face down
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abruptrude or unfriendly because of using too few words or moving too quickly
She has an abrupt personality.more
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Thank you for your words, he says abruptly and leads Uhmma away to the back row of chairs.p.114.6more
abrupt → abruptly:in a manner that is rude or unfriendly because of using too few words or moving too quickly